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When the leaves of the hydrangea turn red, do not panic, because there are quite understandable reasons for this. Even if the problem lies in damage or disease, all this is fixable. Hydrangea, although an unpretentious plant, rarely gets sick, especially due to improper care. But she is quite patient with the treatment and recovers pretty soon if she remembers in time and takes care of her properly.
There are many reasons for changing the color of foliage.
Why did the hydrangea leaves turn red?
Hydrangea is one of the fauna resistant representatives to various diseases and pests. But those still do not bypass the plant. Amateurs and novice gardeners are seriously afraid of this phenomenon, because it is not easy to explain. However, there can be many reasons, so there is no need to wait for a definite answer. We'll have to remember the manipulations carried out on the hydrangea, as well as the characteristics of the water, soil and weather conditions in which the shrub grows.
Much depends on how the flowers are watered. Excessive moisture can harm hydrangeas, although some varieties are believed to be tolerant to these conditions. But this does not mean that the plant needs to be watered every day "to the dump." In addition, the reason may lie in the soil, the gardener did not prepare it in advance, did not take care of fertilization, or it is depleted and does not nourish the hydrangea as much as it needs. It also happens that the florist improperly planted the bush or damaged the root system during the transplantation. Finally, hydrangea can be attacked by fungal diseases, but they are treatable.
Causes of red leaves in hydrangea
Hydrangeas, especially some of its varieties, have strong immunity and endurance against many diseases, as well as weather conditions. But what happens is that the flower begins to change outwardly, and for the worse. Many people know that loss of foliage color means chlorosis. But when the leaves of different varieties of hydrangea, for example, large-leaved, turn red, gardeners begin to look for answers.
It is worth noting that redness manifests itself in different ways. The color change can start from different edges of the sheet or from the middle. You will notice that red spots have appeared on the leaves of the hydrangea. All this expresses different reasons for such modifications.
In order not to panic, it is worth stocking up on information in advance about what can harm the hydrangea - from mechanical manipulations over it to the weather conditions of growth. It is noteworthy that the plant needs close attention for the first two years after planting - is the soil good, is the water harming it, is the hydrangea freezing in the first winter.
When foliage turns red, you should pay attention to watering and soil fertility
Wrong choice of seedling
In the process of planting new seedlings, it is necessary to adhere to several rules, which include the correct selection of the planting site, the preparation of good soil, the level of lighting, as well as the planting time.
Firstly, an inexperienced gardener could neglect the planting rules and root the hydrangea in the summer, when the plant should have started flowering, or the daytime sun is too "aggressive". All this is unacceptable. It is planted either in the spring or in the fall, shortly before the start of sap flow or before the hydrangea is sent to rest.
In addition, the seedling must be in the ground even before planting, that is, it is purchased in a pot, container or other container. In the process of planting, the gardener could tamp the ground too much, and the young plant, literally, has nothing to breathe.
The roots could have suffered during planting, transplanting, in the process of transporting the seedling to a new place.
Improper care
The initial care of a young hydrangea should be filled with attention to the flower, care. It's not only about timely watering, but also about the composition of the soil, which is regularly fertilized at first. Also, her condition depends on pruning. Don't forget about mulching.
So, it is important to remember that the acidity of the hydrangea soil should be about 5 pH, despite the fact that many representatives of this flora grow well on weakly acidic or even neutral soils. But we are talking precisely about the initial care, including the regular feeding of the flower with mineral and organic fertilizers and the consolidation of the result in the form of mulching.
Many beginners make a big mistake in the pruning process and timing, cutting off the stems "at random" almost at the peak of flowering. Thus, natural forces literally ooze out of the plant, without being deposited in foliage and inflorescences, hence the modifications in their color and shape.
Reddening of the leaves can cause improper care
Unfavorable weather conditions
Hydrangea tolerates harsh winters well and does not suffer much from the summer heat. However, you should be careful with the latter, because the reddening of the leaves can be caused by too long exposure to direct sunlight after the summer watering the shrub in the middle of the day, during which the foliage gets burned. Also, its preventive treatment at the wrong time of day can turn into a disaster. If the hydrangea painfully tolerates the scorching sun, it is worth giving it a shade, partial shade, diffused sunlight, which is provided with the help of a transplant or "manually" cover the plant with a canvas stretched on the frame.
During wintering, young shoots may freeze over, however, they usually "come to life" in the spring. Perhaps, under the weight of snow on hydrangeas without pruning, the stems were damaged, to which, naturally, vital juices do not come well during the flowering period. Eliminate this by competent removal and further processing of damaged branches.
Diseases and pests
Diseases and pests, no matter how resistant the hydrangea is to them, from time to time overcome it. Speaking about reddened leaves, especially about individual brown spots, one can assume a fungal disease. Also, the problem may lie in the fact that the soil in which the shrub grows is depleted, or overdried, or overfilled.
Among the pests, aphids are considered the worst enemy, as well as the rootworm, which feeds on hydrangea juices, which it lacks for adequate functioning. If you do not catch yourself in time, the reddening leaves will gradually fall off, and the whole plant will soon die behind them.
What to do if hydrangea leaves turn red
If the leaves of hydrangea paniculata, large-leaved and any other turn red, measures must be taken. Of course, first you need to determine the reason, since it makes no sense to start treating the plant for a non-existent disease, increase the normal acidity of the soil and water the choking plant even more abundantly.
Spots on foliage signal the presence of a disease
If brown spots appear on the crown, this is undoubtedly a fungal disease that is treated with fungicides, for example, Fundazol, Okihom, Hom, Abiga-Peak. The foliage is treated on both sides twice, with a break of 2 weeks. To strengthen the result, you need to fertilize the soil with microelements, in particular, magnesium sulfate.
In early spring or autumn, the plant is sprayed with the same drugs or biofungicides - Fitosporin, a mixture of Alirin with Gamair.
Otherwise, depending on the cause of the redness. With an excess of moisture, watered a little less often. Protect from the scorching sun. The soil is checked for acidity, once a season, fertilized with mineral and organic compounds. In winter and summer, they mulch to ensure the required temperature (mulch protects against overheating, as well as against evaporation of moisture with useful substances).
How to feed a hydrangea when the leaves turn red
If the leaves turn red due to depletion of the soil, it is fed. Due to improper acidity, the plant cannot assimilate micro and macro elements necessary for development and growth from the soil. The folk method involves mixing 10 liters of water with 1 tsp. lemon juice or oxalic acid and pour the hydrangea with this solution.
If it turns out that the reddening of the leaves is due to damage to the roots, the situation is corrected by feeding the soil with a drug that stimulates their growth. This is done three times a month, along with sufficient watering. Top dressing is resumed after the hydrangea root system is restored.
Experienced gardening tips
On the topic of why hydrangea leaves turn red, there are many videos filmed by experienced gardeners that show examples and explain the reasons for the inappropriate behavior of the plant.
Many advise not to abandon the plant due to its unpretentiousness, but to continue regular feeding, preventive treatments of hydrangeas from diseases and pests, and with biological products or folk remedies, which will contribute to their better growth. But the most important rule among experienced gardeners is adequate watering. Overdrying hurts, no doubt. But an excess of moisture, firstly, washes away useful substances, and secondly, it leads to decay of the root system.
To avoid problems, it is worth taking care of the flower from the very beginning.
Conclusion
On the problem, when the leaves of the hydrangea turn red, they create separate topics on the crop production forums. Inexperienced people ask for advice and gardening experts and receive comforting answers: whatever the problem is, it can be solved. The weather conditions cannot be changed, but the plant can be moved. Correct pruning and regular feeding will eliminate the appearance of diseases. Attentive attitude and timely care is the main solution to the problem.
